Department of State

noun phrase

: the part of the U.S. government that is responsible for how the U.S. deals with other countries

Examples of Department of State in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The amendment, considered on the floor as part of the annual National Security, Department of State, and related programs appropriations bill, saw 103 Democrats vote yes. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 16 July 2026

But for operators who stay in only one city, the new permit from the Department of State Health Services costs far more than the one from the city. — Kamal Morgan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026

If you're already registered to vote in Florida, July 20 is also the deadline to make any changes to your registration, including party affiliation, according to the Florida Department of State. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 16 July 2026

In recent weeks, agencies including the New York Department of State, Florida Bar and local police departments issued warnings about these scams. — Naisha Roy, ProPublica, 16 July 2026

Rhymes for Department of State

• borosilicate
• decontaminate
• deoxycholate
• deteriorate
• differentiate
• diisocyanate
• dinoflagellate
• excommunicate
• incapacitate
• insubordinate
• intercorporate
• interpenetrate

Legal Definition

Department of State

Agency

federal executive division responsible for carrying out U.S. foreign policy. It is the president's principal means of conducting treaty negotiations and effecting agreements with foreign nations. Under its control are the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, seven bureaus of political affairs, the U.S. Foreign Service (including 270 embassies, consulates, and diplomatic missions, and numerous subagencies), and various offices of diplomatic security, foreign intelligence, policy analysis, international narcotics control, protocol, and passport and medical services. The department's legal adviser advises the secretary of state on all matters of international law arising in the conduct of foreign relations.